Grounds Operative

Somerset Council; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Training and development opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a Grounds Operative in Yeovil to maintain and improve public spaces across Somerset. The role covers parks, cemeteries, housing areas, highways and landscaped sites, with hands-on outdoor work and flexible hours.

You will join a supportive team delivering practical grounds maintenance with a visible community impact. We welcome applicants with varied experience and a positive attitude.

Qualifications

• Good physical fitness and ability to lift and move materials/equipment.
• Experience with outdoor manual work and hand-operated equipment.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements, including COSHH.
• Ability to work safely in varying weather conditions and flexible to changing priorities.
• Basic IT skills and ability to learn new systems (Outlook, Word, Teams).
• Good teamwork and flexible approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Carry out grounds and horticultural work such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding and general upkeep.
• Maintain highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites.
• Remove litter, leaves, graffiti and fly-posting to keep spaces clean.
• Use hand tools, powered equipment and ride-on machinery with training.
• Support seasonal and emergency work (flood response, watercourse clearance, snow/ice clearance, sandbagging).
• Drive council vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, perform daily checks and report defects.
• Complete basic paperwork and electronic records accurately.
• Provide professional and courteous service when interacting with the public.
• Work flexibly to support service needs, including occasional work outside normal hours.

Skills

Physical fitness

Teamwork

Adaptability

Health and safety awareness

Education

General education or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Looking for a practical outdoor role where you can see the difference your work makes every day? We're looking for a Grounds Operative to join our team in Yeovil. This is a great opportunity to work outdoors, helping to maintain and improve public spaces across Somerset. From parks and cemeteries to housing areas, highways and landscaped sites, you'll play an important role in keeping our communities safe, clean and welcoming for residents and visitors. No two days are the same in this varied, hands-on role. You'll work as part of a supportive team delivering grounds maintenance and horticultural services that have a visible impact on the places people use every day. Don't worry if you don't meet every requirement listed. Whether you're bringing existing experience or looking for a fresh challenge, what matters most is your commitment, positive attitude and willingness to learn. How You'll Make a Difference As a Grounds Operative, you'll help create attractive, safe and well-maintained environments that people enjoy using every day by:

• Carrying out grounds and horticultural work, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, weeding and general upkeep.
• Maintaining highways, verges, housing areas, cemeteries, parks and landscaped sites.
• Removing litter, leaves, graffiti and flyposting to help keep public spaces clean and safe.
• Using hand tools, powered equipment and ride-on machinery (with appropriate training).
• Supporting seasonal and emergency work, including flood response, watercourse clearance, snow and ice clearance, and sandbagging.
• Driving council vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, carrying out daily checks and reporting defects.
• Reporting issues such as vandalism, fly-tipping and damage to supervisors.
• Completing basic paperwork and electronic records accurately.
• Providing a professional and courteous service when interacting with members of the public.
• Working flexibly to support service needs, including occasional work outside normal hours.
  We're looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in their work and can adapt to changing priorities and weather conditions. As well as:
• A full UK driving licence.
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements, including COSHH.
• Experience of outdoor manual work and using hand-operated equipment.
• Good physical fitness, including the ability to lift and move materials and equipment.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in varying weather conditions.
• Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Teams, and the ability to learn new systems.
• A good standard of general education or equivalent practical experience.
• Good teamwork skills and a flexible approach to work.
  At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities to support your growth and career progression.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
• A supportive team environment where your contribution is valued.
• The opportunity to work outdoors and make a visible difference to local communities every day.